Westen with his Mamaw. It's a good thing we don't live there, because she'd ruin him. They had so much fun together. Westen was giving her sugars right before we left. Thanks for everything Mamaw!

This is the day we left - 3 days after Ryan's surgery; thus the reason he's not looking too hot. He didn't feel good at all when we were leaving. He did let Westen get in bed with him for a picture. Thank you everyone for your prayers for Ryan. We love you, Uncle Ryan!

After Westen got over the loudness of the lawn mower, he had a great time with Papaw taking a long ride. I think Westen could've done that all day. Thanks Papaw!

Here's Westen and his cousin Ellie. He could say Ellie fairly good by the time we left! Westen also got to go watch Ellie play softball one night. It was fun!

Westen and the Ison's.

Westen got to know his Aunt Na Na better too. He even got to spend the night at her house one night and play all the next morning! Love you, Aunt Na Na!

The day of Ryan's surgery, Julie and I sent our kids to our friend Rachel's house. Thanks for babysitting Rachel. Apparently, Westen followed Hailey around for most of the day. Westen loved his cousin Hailey!

I told you he warmed up to Uncle Daniel!

Westen, of course, got to take a ride on one of the fun toys at Uncle Dan's tractor shop. Thanks Uncle Dan!

They also had a petting zoo. Here we are with the camel. We also got to see a zonkey (a zebra-donkey). Very cool!

And here's Ellie!

On Memorial Day Austin, Westen, and I went to the Creation Museum with Aunt Na Na, Ellie, and Josie. It's a museum built by a Christian scientist and the museum is to explain Creationism. I've never been to a museum like it. We loved it! Here's Josie posing for us!

Austin's showing Westen how to hit the ball off the tee. He could do it but only by knocking the tee down too! Fun times!

Ellie and McKayla with the puppies.

Most of Memorial Day weekend was spent outside at Mamaw and Papaw's house. The Jones' stopped by with their cute little puppies for all of us to cuddle. Here's Westen with Hailey checking out one of the pups. I think all of us were ready to take one home. They were so cute!

Still at the cemetary, this is all of my immediate family except for my sister's husband, Dan. Amazingly, the rest of us were there including Austin. He had come in just for the weekend. Our family has certainly grown from its original 6. For those of you who know us, yes that's Hailey between Julie and my mom. I know, she doesn't look like a little girl anymore.

Every year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, my dad's brothers and sister come into town and meet at their mother's grave. It's a great time of fellowship for my dad's family as they're all spread out and busy with their own families. This is everyone, except for one other brother who couldn't make it. From left to right is Uncle Steve, Uncle Larry, Aunt Vicki, Dad (the most handsome), and Uncle Wayne. We all then headed to Uncle Larry and Aunt Doris's house for a delicious lunch and we spent the afternoon there.

I just thought this was such a cute little picture of Westen just being a little boy. I love it!

Westen didn't pose too good for this picture but here he is with Uncle Ryan. You can see his cute little hat though. Westen LOVES his Uncle Ryan. We went to the grocery store with Ryan and Mom one day and Westen wouldn't let me touch the grocery cart. Only Uncle Ryan could push it. He would literally push my hands off the cart. Ryan's a great uncle!

Here's Westen and McKayla! McKayla is a little Mother Hen. She was great with Westen and we love her very much. She'll be starting middle school next year! I also have to mention that everyone says that she looks just like I did when I was her age. Sorry Kid:)

Westen even got to see Uncle Daniel while we were home since he was in visiting too. This is my brother Daniel and Westen's other cousins McKayla and Hannah. Westen didn't know what to think about Daniel at first, but by the end of our trip would go to him and get down on the floor and play with him. He wasn't scared of Uncle Daniel at all:) It was so nice to spend time with this crew!

Mamaw and Papaw also had a sandbox outside. Westen was funny about it. Although he loves when we go to the beach down here, he didn't want to sit in the sandbox. He just wanted to play in it with his hands. I think most of the sand he touched ended up in the grass. Also, take note of his little hat. Papaw bought him this hat that says Grandpa's Lil' Sidekick. The first day Westen wouldn't touch it. Then, to our surprise, he wore it much of the time we were there. He'd go find it and say, "Hat, On, Peez." It was too cute!

Ellie and Josie in the clubhouse part of the swingset. They really look like they love each other there, dont' they!!

THANK YOU MAMAW, AND ESPECIALLY PAPAW for the wonderful swingset that kept all the children playing and laughing the whole Memorial Day weekend. Here's Westen with his cousins Ellie and Josie on the swings. Westen absolutely loved the swingset and the wide open yard. He wore himself out almost everyday.

Westen got to eat dinner one night during our first week at the new Frish's Big Boy in Independence (one of my fave spots I have to hit while visiting home). Who would've ever thought there'd be one there?? How my small town is growing! We ate dinner with Debbie and J.R. Debbie Wood had Westen acting wild and crazy in the restaurant. He loved it!

May 25th-June 6th

Westen and I left May 25th for our trip up to KY. Austin joined us just for Memorial Day Weekend and then Westen and I finished out the trip 'til June 6th. We had such a wonderful time visiting our family up there. Westen got very familiar and comfortable with everyone. The first few days were very relaxing. I got to spend a morning with Julie volunteering at her school's field day and Westen got to stay with Mamaw. Most of Memorial Day weekend was spent at Mamaw's and Papaw's house. I didn't see everyone I would've liked to see on this visit, but I must say that Memorial Day weekend was such a precious time with all my immediate family there. That doesn't happen very often anymore and we all spent most of the weekend at mom's and dad's while all the kids played outside and I loved every second of it. Mom fixed an awesome dinner for us on that Sunday that only mom can fix and we all just spent time catching up. After Austin left, I took Ryan out that Wednesday for a day with just the two of us. We went to a movie together. Then his ear surgery was Thursday. Most of Thursday and Friday were spent at the hospital and by then it was time to start packing up to leave. His surgery went well, although he's still rather sick. I ask that you continue your prayers for him. He's such a brave soul and much tougher than I'll ever be. And I'm so glad Westen adores him. We miss everyone already and love you even more!